Volunteer fire fighter reunited with those involved in saving his life after he went into cardiac arrest on a job
Robert Elliott went into cardiac arrest on the way to a job in September last year. (Supplied: Tasmania Fire Service)
In short:
Tasmanian Fire Service volunteer Robert Elliott went into cardiac arrest while responding to a fire in September 2023.
His fellow volunteers and police officers saved his life by performing first aid.
What's next?
Mr Elliott says his experiences shows how important it is to learn first aid and CPR.
Volunteer fire fighter Robert Elliott was on his way to a fire on Tasmania's east coast when he went into cardiac arrest in September last year.
Thanks to the quick thinking of his colleagues, Mr Elliott, 53, survived to tell the tale — although he remembers none of it.
Mr Elliott, a volunteer of 35 years, was playing with his grandson when his pager went off.
The Cranbrook Brigade station officer was soon with two colleagues on his way to the fire north of Swansea.
During the drive when they realised Mr Elliott was unwell, his colleagues dragged him from the truck and performed emergency CPR.
Ric Fulton, of the Swansea Fire Brigade was close behind when he heard a call over the radio that Mr Elliott was having a "possible heart attack".
Mr Fulton said there was a defibrillator in his vehicle which he handed to another officer.
"It is confronting but it is one of your mates and he just needed a hand, and that's what we did," he said.
The rescue helicopter brought Mr Elliott to the Royal Hobart Hospital. For the first week of his recovery, he was in a coma in the intensive care unit.
"The first week was really touch and go; we didn't know whether Robert was going to survive," Mr Elliott's wife, Suzanne Elliott, said.
"But Robert's tough, and stubborn, and he did all his rehab and he has recovered really well."
Mr Elliott said his family's support during his recovery had been "absolutely fantastic".
Suzanne Elliott says Robert is "tough, and stubborn", and has recovered well. (Supplied: Tasmania Fire Service)
First aid training
Mr Elliott said his experience showed just how important first aid training was.
"Many years ago, I completed a first aid course, and the instructor spoke about how if you are ever going to do CPR, it will likely be on a friend or colleague … but I never thought I'd be that friend or colleague," he said.
Robert Elliott (centre) with those who helped save him — Ric Fulton, Sergeant Bill Grierson, Kelvin Jones and Tom Lyne. (Supplied: Tasmania Fire Service)
The Swansea brigade members had been trained in defibrillator use just two days before they had to use it on Mr Elliott.
"It was pretty fresh in their minds," Mr Elliott said.
On Friday, Mr Elliott and his rescuers were reunited in Swansea.
"I just wanted to catch up with them all again and say thank you.
"They were in the right place, at the right time, and I will be forever thankful," he said.
Mr Elliott said damage to his heart meant he had to step away from his role as station officer, but he continues to volunteer with the brigade.